Podcast: David Dastmalchian on ‘Entrance’

It's been a busy year for actor David Dastmalchian. In 2024, Dastmalchian hosted the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, graduated from character actor to leading man in Late Night with the Devil, and, in a nod to his lifelong love of comics, took on writing responsibilities for DC's horror series Creature Commandos. But somewhere amidst the madness, Dastmalchian also found time to celebrate independent horror, joining Certified Forgotten for a discussion about Patrick Horvath and Dallas Hallam's 2012 indie slasher, Entrance.

Life in Los Angeles is hardly the stuff of dreams for thirtysomething Suziey (Suziey Block), and that's OK. She has a job she tolerates, a roommate she likes, and a dog that she loves — less than she deserves, perhaps, but more than others. But when her dog goes missing, Suziey decides it is time for a clean break with Los Angeles, and begins the painful process of packing up her life. Unfortunately for her, Suziey's roommate is not the only person who has been keeping tabs on her life, and soon Suziey will discover that a violent stranger has grand designs for her going away party.

In this sort excerpt from the episode, Dastmalchian recalls the first time he sat down to watch Entrance, and why it has left such a lasting mark on the Los Angeles native:

I first saw Entrance at the Los Angeles Film Festival after I [moved] to Los Angeles, maybe in 2010 or 2011, and it bowled me over. There's something about contained, small-budget, independent horror that's character-driven, writing-driving, and not afraid to languish in the discomfort of quiet moments. This movie hit me at a perfect time — I was a transplant to Los Angeles. That sense of trying to find your purpose, looking and longing for community, how easy it is to feel lost and isolated as a young person, all of those [themes] landed.

The Entrance episode of the Certified Forgotten podcast is now available to stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, or the podcast platform of your choice.